Newtown Group To Aid Oklahoma Tornado Victims; Seeks Funds For Travel

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From one healing community to another: a Newtown organization is heading down to Oklahoma to help with relief efforts for tornado victims, but they’ve run across a slight problem. Ben’s Lighthouse has gotten so much interest from teens that they need more cash to get everyone there.

The organization is named after Ben Wheeler, a six-year-old killed during the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.

The organization is in Newtown to be mentors for students and help them cope.

Helping is Healing is a motto they use frequently and it’s one that speaks volumes for their upcoming project.

“If we could help them the same way they helped us I thought that would be a great opportunity,” said 15-year-old Trystan Wagner who is going down to Oklahoma.

Rick Haylon with Ben’s Lighthouse said 15 teens plus a few adults will head to the tornado ravaged parts of Oklahoma. They plan on staying in Norman for several days to help surrounding communities rebuild.

“We can go in and clean up debris and we can fix siding on houses, fix roofing, fix fences, whatever they need us to do,” he said.

The cost is pricey, $1,000 per person. They’ve raised enough for 15 students but need some extra help for others who want to go.

“After the tragedy here you just want to do something for somebody else,” said 15-year-old Brenna Kelly.

They’re calling out to not only the community, but surrounding areas, asking people to help them, help Oklahoma.

“We know the world wants to help Newtown so this is a way of telling them you can do it,” said Haylon.